4:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

Freezing rain, sleet, and snow are all in the forecast on Sunday and Monday. C-S Ross with the National Weather Service says Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria could see several inches of snow. He says high temperatures will stay below freezing that day for those cities and dangerous wind chills are also expected Monday and Tuesday.
Cut 7 (08) “…below zero.”

Pelican Waste has set up a GoFundMe for the two sanitation workers who spotted a car from an Amber Alert earlier this week in St. Martin Parish and helped rescue a kidnapped 10-year-old. The fund has set of goal of $10-thousand for Dion Merrick and Brandon Antoine. Pelican spokesperson Monica Camille says they deserve it…

cut 12 (12) “…acts

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year for the restaurant industry but with limited capacity due to the pandemic, Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says many members have creative options for their patrons this year.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to go”

The Louisiana Family Forum has found the new longest-married couple in the state: a pair out of Gonzales who’ve been married for 80 years. LFF President Gene Mills says 101-year-old Gail is a Catholic and 99-year-old Patsy Richardson is Baptist, and both are both highly active in their faith.

Cut 9 (08) “..coexistence”

This year’s search turned up 18 couples who’ve been married for more than 70 years.

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

Louisiana could get hit with a major winter storm on Monday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was scheduled to meet with the Biden Administration and others this morning to discuss COVID relief, but she tested positive at the White House screening for entry. Cantrell missed the meeting but then took a second test and her results were negative. A statement from her office says at no time did she display symptoms and will return home as scheduled this evening.

Pelican Waste has set up a GoFundMe for the two sanitation workers who spotted a car from an Amber Alert earlier this week in St. Martin Parish and helped rescue a kidnapped 10-year-old. The fund is for Dion Merrick and Brandon Antoine and Pelican spokesperson Monica Camille says they deserve it.

Cut 14 (11) “…with it”

The GoFundMe has a 10,000 dollar goal…

The Louisiana Family Forum has found the new longest-married couple in the state: a pair out of Gonzales who’ve been married for 80 years, Gail and Patsy Richardson. LFF President Gene Mills says this year’s search turned up over 18 couples who’ve been married for more than 70 years. Mills says they will be celebrated.

Cut 11 (06) “..of fame”

Those in the top ten list will receive a proclamation from the Governor and a King Cake.

2:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says confidence is increasing that the northern half of the state could be hit by two major winter storms next week. Meteorologist C-S Ross says a mix of wintery precipitation is expected to arrive Sunday morning and the storm system will intensify.

Cut 6 (10) “..remain possible.”

Pelican Waste has set up a GoFundMe for the two heroic sanitation workers, Dion Merrick, and Brandon Antione, who spotted a car from an Amber Alert earlier this week in St. Martin Parish and helped rescue a kidnapped 10-year-old. The fund has raised close to 55-hundred dollars so far and Pelican spokesperson Monica Camille…

Cut 13 (13)“. caliber”

The Louisiana Family Forum has found the new longest-married couple in the state: a pair out of Gonzales who’ve been married for 80 years. LFF President Gene Mills says 101-year-old Gail is a Catholic and 99-year-old Patsy Richardson is Baptist, and there’s says there’s a lot everyone could learn from these two centenarians.

Cut 10 (11) “…benefits” 

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year for the restaurant industry and in Louisiana, Valentine’s Day usually competes with Mardi Gras Parades but that’s not the case this year. Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says however many restaurants are offering to-go options to celebrate carnival at home or for touring house floats by car.

Cut 4 (08) “…home.” 

Behind Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year traditionally for restaurants.

12:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

Louisiana could get hit with a major winter storm on Monday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was to meet with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other mayors and governors to discuss COVID Relief but was unable to attend due to White House screening protocols. Officials at City Hal have issued a statement that they are trying to determine Cantrell’s COVID status and will release additional information this afternoon.

The Louisiana Family Forum has found the new longest-married couple in the state: a pair out of Gonzales who’ve been married for 80 years. LFF President Gene Mills says 101-year-old Gail is a Catholic and 99-year-old Patsy Richardson is Baptist, and both are both highly active in their faith.

Cut 9 (08) “..coexistence”

Something tells me Gail never forgets to make reservations for Valentine’s Day and if you have, Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says you might want to pick up the phone and do so ASAP for Sunday. She says if you can’t get seated you might want to look at some to-go options and still support your favorite local restaurant…

Cut 5  (11)  “…that way.” 

Waren says some restaurants are also offering to-go options for celebrating Mardi Gras at home or if you are touring home floats by car.

11:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says it looks like the northern half of the state could be hit by two major winter storms next week. Meteorologist C-S Ross says the I-20 corridor could see single-digit low temperatures for Tuesday morning. He says freezing rain is in the forecast for south Louisiana on Monday, and Tuesday morning will also be very cold south of Alexandria.

Cut 8 (06) “…into the teens”

Louisiana is set to experience the quietest Mardi Gras weekend in living memory with public gatherings banned and parades canceled. Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy says this is a special and important time of year for Louisianans, and in our hearts we know we’re all missing something right now.

Cut 4 (08)“…no more.”

Mardi Gras might be canceled but king cakes are flying off the shelves and Hardy says folks have adjusted by building nearly 3,000 house floats.

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year for the restaurant industry but with limited capacity due to the pandemic, Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says many members have creative options for their patrons this year.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to go”

Behind Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year traditionally for restaurants.

Beginning today you can file both your individual state and federal income tax returns for 2020. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson points out a few things to note before you file since last year added some unusual scenarios.

Cut 13 (12) “…to tax.”

Robinson says unemployment income is subject to tax.

10:30 LRN Newscast Feb 12

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says confidence is increasing that the northern half of the state could be hit by two major winter storms next week. Meteorologist C-S Ross says a mix of wintery precipitation is expected to arrive Sunday morning and the storm system will intensify.

Cut 6 (10) “..remain possible.”

And Ross says there’s a good chance for several inches of snow for Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria on Monday.

Louisiana is experiencing a blast of arctic air that will continue through Tuesday.  A cold snap in December led to higher utility bills for Entergy customers in January.  Entergy Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says monitoring your thermostat can save you money while heating your home.

Cut 7 (08)  “…energy usage.”

Beginning today you can file your individual state income tax return for 2020. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson Secretary says if for some reason you didn’t receive a stimulus check you can claim it.

Cut 14 (09) “…return.” 

You are not taxed on income you received from stimulus checks but you are taxed on unemployment income.

Front line workers who received a $250 check will have to pay taxes on that income. For those who received a grant from the Main Street Recovery Program for their business, those funds are subject to state tax as well. The Paycheck Protection Program funds are not subject to state income tax.

Individual Income Tax returns and payments in Louisiana are due May 17th. Federal income tax returns and payments are due April 15th.

AM LRN Newscall Feb 12

This time last year crowds were packing the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras weekend, unknowingly sowing the seeds for one of the most deadly outbreaks of COVID in the world. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Tulane National Primate Research Center participates in a study that helps ID those most likely to transmit COVID-19. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Beginning today you can file your state income taxes for 2020 in Louisiana. Stimulus checks and unemployment will play a part in how you file so pay attention. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Louisiana is set to experience the quietest Mardi Gras weekend in living memory with public gatherings banned and parades canceled.

Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy says this is a special and important time of year for Louisianans, and in our hearts we know we’re all missing something right now.

Cut 4 (08)“…no more.”

There’s near-universal agreement that Carnival 2020 was the super spreading event that sparked the deadly first wave of the pandemic in the New Orleans area.

Mardi Gras might be canceled but king cakes are still in production and Hardy says folks have adjusted by building nearly 3,000 house floats, some of the most prominent right along St. Charles Avenue.

Cut 5 (07)“…spirit.”

There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccine production ramping up but Hardy says that won’t happen in time to hypothetically reschedule the holiday.

Cut 6 (10) “…season.”

________________________

Louisiana is experiencing a blast of arctic air that will continue through Tuesday.  A cold snap in December led to higher utility bills for Entergy customers in January.  Entergy Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says monitoring your thermostat can save you money while heating your home.

Cut 7 (08)  “…energy usage.”

Scardigli explains that setting your thermostat above 68 degrees for an extended period of time could prove to be costly.

Cut 8 (12) “…on your bill.”

Scardigli provides examples of cheaper alternatives that folks can use to heat their home.

Cut 9 (08) “…warm air inside.”

If customers have had their new advanced meter installed, they can log in to myEntergy to track their energy usage.

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A national study of primates and humans with COVID shows only a fifth of individuals are responsible for 80 percent of viral transmission.

The study tracked the expiration of virally loaded aerosols from both populations and Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they made an interesting discovery…

Cut 10 (11) “…potential.”

Peak viral expiration was found to be a week after initial infection, with patients’ viral expiration on average returning to normal after two weeks.

Roy says the full study discovered a correlation between someone’s age and BMI, and how much virus they spewed once infected.

Cut 11 (09) “…particles.”

194 healthy people were tracked in the study as they went through the course of COVID.

The study also showed COVID weakens airway mucus allowing viral particles to move more freely out of the body. Roy says it further reinforces the message of if you get sick, stay home.

Cut 12 (05) “…data.”

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Beginning today you can file your individual state income tax return for 2020 Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue Kimberly Robinson points out a few things to note before you file since last year added some unusual scenarios.

Cut 13 (12) “…to tax.”

Stimulus checks are not taxed either, both state and federal.

If for some reason you didn’t receive your stimulus check last year, Robinson says you have the opportunity to claim it on your tax returns.

Cut 14 (09) “…return.” 

Another thing you should be aware of is your unemployment benefits. Robinson says with record filings of unemployment last year many are not aware of how it affects your tax return.

Cut 15 (08)“…people.”

If your business received Paycheck Protection Loan forgiveness it is not subject to be taxed either. Also, Robinson says the deductions that were taken in December are not subject to be taxed either.

______________________________________

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball will take on UAB in a two-game series beginning tonight at 6:30.  UAB is one of the top teams in Conference USA with a 16-2 overall record.  Tech head coach Eric Konkol says what makes the Blazers so good is their aggressive defense.

Cut 16 (13) “…quite a bit.”

Tech is only shooting 43 percent from the floor this year and Konkol says a key for the Bulldogs will be getting into the paint.

Cut 17 (14) “…in there.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 11

A winter weather advisory has been issued along I-20 tonight along with areas south of the interstate. Light freezing rain is possible overnight and into Friday morning. This could present slick travel conditions and black ice on bridges and overpasses. At least five people were killed in a massive pile-up in Fort Worth this morning after freezing rain and sleet fell along Interstate 35.

The Youngsville Police Department arrests a Lafayette Parish School system teacher and her husband for an inappropriate relationship with their exchange student.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The State Fire Marshal is warning Louisianans to prepare their home for the polar vortex by checking their smoke detector and taking note of space heater safety. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan on using a space heater to ward off the incoming cold plug it directly into the wall because extension cords can cause resistance.

Cut 9 (07) “..fire”

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue on constitutional grounds, but Cassidy says even Trump’s lawyers agree that the House managers made a strong case that the impeachment trial should continue.

Cut 14 (12) “…five minutes”

4:30 LRN Newscast Feb 11

The state is will soon see record low temps as a polar vortex approaches this weekend. So, before you try to turn up the heat State Fire Marshal Browning says checking that your smoke alarm is working properly is crucial. He says that alarm gives you 60 seconds to get out of your house as quickly as possible. He says without an alarm…

Cut 11 (10) “…die”

The recent third wave of the pandemic took its toll on nursing homes across the state according to new data from AARP. State Director Denise Botcher says from December 21st to January 17th 347 residents died of COVID, and 1,521 residents tested positive.

Cut 3 (09)  “..community”

1,391 staff also tested positive during that time.

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue. The Republican Party of E-B-R says to allow the impeachment fiasco to continue was a betrayal of the people of Louisiana and a rebuke of those who supported President Trump. Cassidy’s response

Cut 13 (09)“. reject it”

The Youngsville Police Department arrests a Lafayette Parish School system employee, Kimberly Wellman Rich for allegedly having sex with an exchange student. Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says her also husband Jeffrey Rich allegedly supplied the student with alcohol and marijuana. Boudreaux says this is not the first time they’ve hosted an exchange student.

Cut 8 (12) “…student.”

3:30 LRN Newscast Feb 11

A polar vortex is sweeping down from Canada and before the temps start dropping State Fire Marshal Butch Browning wants you to check your smoke alarms before turning on those heaters. Matt Doyle has more.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Vaugh Gordon, the Lafayette man who participated in the Jan. 6 riot inside the U.S. Capitol faces additional federal charges. Violent entry and disorderly conduct and parading demonstrating or picketing in capitol building have been added to the entering and remaining along with disorderly conduct within a restricted building.  The case was moved to federal court in D.C.

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue. Cassidy says he was following the constitution which allows for the impeachment of a private person.

Cut 12 (12) “   it’s constitutional” 

The Youngsville Police Department has arrested a Lafayette Parish School system employee for allegedly having sex with an exchange student that was living in her house. Police chief Ricky Boudreaux says an anonymous call led authorities to investigate 36-year old Kimberly Wellman-Rich.

Cut 6 (10) “…residence.”

Boudreaux says her husband 34-year old Jeffrey Rich was also arrested because he allegedly knew about the inappropriate relationship and allegedly gave the 15-year old marijuana and alcohol.